Wightlink sells Fastcat tickets from a Costa Coffee shop

FERRY passengers travelling to the Isle of Wight are having to buy their tickets at a local cafe during off-peak hours as the ticket office is shut.

Wightlink has confirmed that passengers can buy their tickets for the Fastcat service to Ryde at a coffee shop at the Portsmouth terminal.

One passenger said: ‘I think it’s mad. It’s an absolute shambles.’

A spokeswoman from Wightlink said: ‘To make ticket sales more flexible for customers, Wightlink is now offering people the opportunity to buy tickets while getting a drink or snack at Costa Coffee as well as at the ticket office.

‘Coffee shop staff are being trained how to use the machine by ticket office staff at off-peak times and the ticket office is occasionally closed at these times so training can take place.

‘There are several ways Wightlink customers can buy tickets for travel from Portsmouth Harbour.

‘They can be bought online, at railway stations, at travel agents and from National Express as well as at the ticket office and Costa Coffee.’

Wightlink denied claims that it takes as long as 20 minutes to queue for tickets.